Round 4 Preview – NPL 4 NSW Men’s
With a break in the wild weather, Round 4 of the National Premier Leagues 4 NSW Men’s competition is set to return. All teams apart from Hurstville FC and Western Rage come into this match after having last week off due to the weather.
The Match of the Round takes us to Fraser Park, as the reigning premiers host the always tough Hurstville FC, in a game that’s sure to excite.
Elsewhere, South Coast Flame look to get off the mark against Nepean, UNSW lock horns with Prospect United whilst Western Rage make the dreaded trip up north to face the Newcastle Jets.
Friday 26th March 2021
Hawkesbury City FC vs Camden Tigers FC, 8pm @ TBD
Both sides head into this matchup eager to get off the mark and kick start their respective seasons. Hawkesbury were scheduled to host the game, however due to the disastrous flooding they have been forced to move this matchup and may have to wait sometime until they return to Bensons Lane which has been heavily affected by the recent floods that hit Sydney.
Camden have improved from their opening performances and will be keen on putting in a complete performance against a side that will also consider this a great chance to open their win total for 2021.
Previous Matchup: Hawkesbury City FC 2-0 Camden Tigers FC.
Saturday 27th March 2021
South Coast Flame FC vs Nepean FC, 6:30pm @ Ian McLennan Park
An interesting clash between two teams that have started this season playing a similar style of football. Nepean have started the better, yet to lose in their opening two clashes, whereas the Flame have only managed one point.
The Flame have shown flashes of a side that can threaten the top half of the table and this game could be the opportunity they need to make a statement against an in-form Nepean outfit.
Previous Matchup: Nepean FC 4-1 South Coast Flame FC.
Match of the Round
Fraser Park FC vs Hurstville FC, 7pm @ Fraser Park
In our Round 4 Match of the Round Hurstville head to Fraser Park looking to continue their impressive form. Hurstville sealed an important win last week over Western Rage and will look to add another win to their resume this weekend.
Fraser Park remain one of the top teams to beat in 2021, the key for them over the past couple weeks is how classy their defence has been. The defence has held off many long stints of attacking pressure and rarely shows cracks. Hurstville will have to continue to play through their strong middle of the park in order to push Fraser Park to their limits.
Last Matchup: Fraser Park 2-1 Hurstville FC.
UNSW FC vs Prospect United SC, 7pm @ Hensley Athletic Field
UNSW enter this game motivated to get their first win of the season after consecutive disappointing results. They face an in-form Prospect side who were ruthless against Western NSW. Prospect dominated the first half entirely and could of turned it into a cricket score if they buried more chances.
UNSW were left with a bad taste in their mouth after a last minute penalty costed them all the points against Nepean. UNSW are another side boasting a solid defence that still has some gelling to do and could begin to put it all together this week.
Previous Matchup: UNSW FC 2-1 Prospect United SC.
Newcastle Jets FC vs Western Rage, 3pm @ Lake Macquarie Regional Football Centre
Newcastle remain at their fortress as Western Rage travel to the Hunter.
The Jets will look to continue their ruthless attacking ways against a Western Rage side on the heels of a disappointing 2-0 loss to Hurstville.
Newcastle have proved that even if sides are competitive with them all they need is a bit of momentum before they go on an attacking spree, which usually sees them score five. The Rage however have shown they are capable of giving it to the best of NPL 4 and will not be scared of the impressive Jets squad.
Previous Matchup: N/A
Western NSW FC vs Parramatta FC, 3pm @ Majorie Jackson Field
Our action rounds out as Parramatta make the long trip to Bathurst to face Western NSW. With the week break Western NSW’s injury riddled squad may have some returning faces. Mark Rooke’s men look to get off the mark and go full throttle against the imposing Parramatta.
Parramatta will look to retain their spot near the top of the table, they head into this matchup in fine form and would expect nothing less than all the points come Sunday afternoon.
Previous Matchup: Parramatta FC 0-1 Western NSW FC.
-By NPL 4 NSW Men’s Writer, Dominic Criniti.
